PUBLICATIONS - Special

4th Edition - Revised 1996

by Dr V. J. Abbott

Available from International Headquarters and Branches

Contents

• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Background to Hydrographic Surveying
• Sectors of the Surveying Profession
• Hydrographic Surveying Activities
• Character of a Hydrographic Surveyor
• Representative Bodies in the Surveying Profession
• FIG-IHO Standards of Competence
• Educational Opportunities
• Sources of Expertise and Information
• Appendix

Preface

The main aim of this one is to provide sufficient background information on the surveying profession and associated organisations to answer fundamental queries. The enquirer will then, hopefully, be pointed in the right direction to discover all the additional information he or she may desire.

As will be described later, international standards of educational qualifications do exist in hydrographic surveying.

The user of this booklet should, however, be aware that these are not yet adopted universally and the availability of courses and training vary from country to country.

Acknowledgments

V J Abbott

Background to Hydrographic Surveying

The traditional role of the hydrographic surveyor has been to gather data to enable the publishing of nautical charts as an aid to safe navigation. This role continues as an extremely important component of the hydrographer's work. Added to this in the past couple of decades has been a vastly increased commitment to more directly commercial activities. In addition to the always quoted resource of offshore oil and gas, there are, for example, other mineral extraction activities and the fishing industry reliant on hydrographic data. The increasing use of the sea as a leisure resource also requires these data.

It should be noted that the environment in which this information is gathered is a dynamic one. In other words, while all data remain useful to a certain extent, much may have a limited life span of primary quality.

With this huge market of customers and the data renewal requirement, it is perhaps surprising that the profession is a small one. Around the world, people who are involved actively in hydrography probably number no more than a few thousand. To the outsider it must appear that either these few are exceptionally efficient or that there must be huge gaps in up to date information. In reality, both can be said to be true. Modern surveying techniques can capture and process enormous quantities of data, but the majority of sea areas remain either unsurveyed, or surveyed long ago with often ingenious but outmoded methods.

Much work therefore remains to be done, and although the intensity of survey activity fluctuates with time, there is an underlying solid base to the profession. The mid 1980s saw a downturn in oil and gas related surveys, for example, reflecting the slump in crude oil prices. Other survey activities however proceeded apace. Cautionary notes have been sounded by some people in the industry, warning that advances in survey systems will reduce the need for survey personnel. As someone considering entry to the profession, we believe that you should remember two points:

first: the uses of the sea are both increasing and diversifying

second: if the advent of new technology makes hydrographic surveying more efficient, then more of the huge mountain of surveying that needs to be done will be tackled.

Sectors of the Surveying Profession

(a) National Charting Agencies

(b) Port and Harbour Authorities

c) Contract Survey Companies

For example, there are companies that only tender for inshore work, mainly associated with coastal engineering projects, and do not get at all involved with offshore activities. Conversely, there are others that specialise in nothing but offshore geophysical (seismic) work. Obviously then, different companies provide a different spread of work and hence experience than others.

Joining a contract survey company as a field surveyor is a common way for the newly qualified surveyor to enter the paid ranks of the profession.

(d) Client Survey Companies

(e) Freelance Surveyors and Consultants

Consultants are specialists, sometimes in a very narrow field, who are generally well advanced into their careers. They may be engaged to oversee an entire job, or to perhaps arbitrate between two or more interests.

(f) Equipment and Software Companies

Hydrographic Surveying Activities

It is perhaps better to think of a core of knowledge that all surveyors must have, surrounded by specialisms and more peripheral activities. Everyone has at least the core knowledge and then, depending on ability, interest and ambition, he or she can develop understanding and experience in other areas (see figure 1).

Within the core must be everything required to plan, perform and process straightforward hydrographic surveys.

To obtain an overall impression of the scope of hydrographic activities, the reader is recommended to read an introductory text book such as "Hydrography for the Surveyor and Engineer" by A.E.Ingham, Edited V.A. Abbott, published by Blackwell Scientific Publications.

                             Deep sea
                             specialist

               Coastal                         Seismics
              Engineering


          Research and       HYDROGRAPHIC             ROV
          Development           CORE                Operator

              Geodesy                          Oceanography
 
                        Position        Software
                        Fixing          Specialist
Fig.1: Core and Specialisms

Character of a Hydrographic Surveyor

You must also be able to work closely alongside other surveyors, perhaps less well qualified but more experienced than yourself, and with people of other associated disciplines. You must be able to tolerate the probably unjustified criticism that may fly the way of the surveyor when something goes wrong on a job.

Conscientiousness and the ability to maintain concentration are essential: carelessness or a lapse in concentration may have drastic consequences in terms of the overall quality or efficiency of a survey.

Academically, in addition to obtaining a survey qualification, a sound scientific background and the ability to use computers are highly desirable, though a survey qualification is not imperative, for example, with some naval organisations. Your school background will include a reasonable standard of physics and mathematics. Some will have already spent time working at sea. Some will already have further or higher education qualifications. You may wish to start or further your education in surveying.

Wherever you are in the world, you will almost certainly find that there is less choice of where to study and courses to follow than for most if not all other professions. You have already shown initiative by discovering this text, so continue by contacting some of the organisations whose addresses are given later. They will be able to provide further details of their courses, the entry requirements, and the mechanisms by which you may be able to obtain financial support during your course.

Your ideas of the final form of your employment may not be clear at this stage. As your course progresses, your main area(s) of interest will develop and you will hopefully get to meet and talk to people already in the profession. One excellent way of doing this is to join the Hydrographic Society. Membership is open to all with an interest in surveying afloat, and students may join at a reduced subscription rate.

Representative Bodies in the Surveying Profession

The national professional bodies mentioned above look after the standards of competence and interests of surveyors. In some countries it is necessary to have passed the entry examinations and standards of competence of the national organisation in order to be able to legally practice some forms of surveying. This is particularly so for the allied area of land surveying where the granting of land ownership depends upon the legal registration of a document or map. However, this provision does not usually apply to hydrographic surveyors. Nevertheless, the professional body provides a recognised set of standards in education and practice and membership obliges the surveyor to keep abrest of new developments.

Standards of surveying are also set for hydrographic surveying courses through the joint FIG-IHO Standards of Competence (see below).

There are national hydrographic bodies in a few countries. For example, The Canadian Hydrographic Association also has international members, and has undertaken or participated in major educational programs in other countries. It publishes a journal, "Lighthouse", twice a year.

FIG-IHO Standards of Competence

The standard syllabi are updated periodically, and fine tuned each year. The basic format is one of a central core of Mathematics and Statistics, Computing, Theoretical and Applied Physics, Control and Practice of Hydrography, Environmental Science, Nautical Science and Law. There are then three specialist offshoots:

• Nautical Charting Surveys
• Port and Nearshore Surveys
• Industrial Offshore Surveys

Educational Opportunities

After education to the age of eighteen, it is common to enter tertiary education to follow a course for a Diploma or a Bachelor's Degree. Later courses may be at the level of Post-Graduate Diplomas, Masters or Doctorates where more specialisation is required, and also a requirement for increased independent study.

Where the national charting organisation is a military organisation (eg Royal Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy), persons who meet the standard entry requirements and wish to specialise in hydrographic surveying will receive the necessary training as part of their career progression. This is normally conducted at one of the establishments listed in Appendix A. Additionally, these organisations seek to recruit candidates who already hold some qualification in land or hydrographic surveying. Addresses are available in the IHO yearbook.

Sources of Expertise and Information

The International Hydrographic Organization

The principal work of the Bureau is:

1. To bring about a close and permanent association between national hydrographic offices;
2. To study matters relating to hydrography and the allied sciences and techniques, and to collect the necessary papers;
3. To further exchange of nautical charts and documents between hydrographic offices of Member States;
4. To circulate appropriate documents;
5. To tender guidance and advice upon request, in particular to countries engaged in setting up or expanding their hydrographic service;
6. To encourage coordination of hydrographic surveys with relevant oceanographic activities;
7. To extend and facilitate the application of oceanographic knowledge for the benefit of navigators;
8. To cooperate with international organizations and scientific institutions which have related objectives.

The IHO publishes a twice yearly journal, "The Hydrographic Review", which carries articles of importance to world hydrography. In addition, there are Special Publications, and an International Hydrographic Bulletin giving information on recent charts and other publications from the national charting establishments. More details, including a reading list, can be obtained from the address below.

One of the major achievements of the IHO has been the standardisation of navigational charts so that any mariner will feel at home with another Member State's chart due to the similarity in format, style and symbols. Continuous review is maintained of national charts and the changes that are necessary due to developments in navigation and shipping.

     The Directing Committee,
     International Hydrographic Bureau,
     4 Quai Antoine 1 er
     MC 98011 Monaco Ledex
     Monaco
     Tel: +377 9310 8100
     Fax: +377 9310 8140
     Email: ihb@unice.fr
     URL: http://www.shom.fr/

The International Federation of Surveyors

The activities of FIG are grouped into nine Technical and Scientific Commissions, of which Commission 4 concerns itself with hydrographic surveying. The 1990s opened with particular interest being taken in the areas of Digital Depth Data Processing, Global Sea Level Measurements and applications of the satellite based Global Positioning System. Commission 4 joins with the IHO in two major activities: the International Advisory Board on Standards of Competence for Hydrographic Surveyors and the Technical Assistance Coordination (TACC). Committee.

FIG is to establish a permanent office in Copenhagen, from 1 January 1999. This will service the organisation's expanding membership as well as increased collaboration with the UN and other international agencies.

More information on the work of FIG is available from the Bureau's present director, 
Jane Woolley 
Tel. +44 171 334 3796 
Fax: +44 171 334 3719 
E-mail: jwoolley@rics.org.uk. 

The present Chairman of Commission 4 dealing with hydrographic activities is:-

                  Dr-Ing Wilfried Schleider
                  Federal Water & Shipping Authority NW
                  Schlossplatz 9
                  D-26603 Aurich
                  Germany

                  Tel. +49 4941 602480
                  Fax. +49 4941 602378

The Hydrographic Society
This Society provides information to members and others on the developments, background and news of the hydrographic surveying profession. Membership is open to all with an interest in hydrography, and includes surveyors, earth scientists, educationalists, and engineers. Corporate members include clients, contractors, private practitioners, government departments, instrument manufacturers and suppliers.

To many members, the quarterly "Hydrographic Journal" is their primary contact with the Society. Information is disseminated through technical articles, news from industry, an Information Bulletin on current professional and social activities, a column of comment on the industry and letters from members. A biennial symposium is held on current techniques, instrumentation and policy, and the proceedings of these form some of the Special Publications available through the International Headquarters or National Branch representatives. Symposia have been held in the UK, Denmark and the Netherlands. (See Calendar for future events).

There are National Branches in Australasia, Denmark, the Netherlands, UK and USA. Members come from over seventy countries and the International Headquarters supports these directly or through the Branches. National Branches and their subsidiary Regions or Chapters organise symposia, technical meetings, and social events. Once again, reports and results of the technical meetings figure amongst The Society's publications.

Appendix
List of courses accredited by the FIG-IHO International Advisory Board. Listed in order of their acceptance by the Board. COURSE CATEGORY LANGUAGE

Further Reading
The Education and Practice of the Surveyor in the Private Sector within the European Economic Community, published by The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors,12, Great George Street, London SWI, UK

'A Catalogue of Undergraduate Programmes in Surveying and Mapping in the World, edited by E J Krakiwsky, The University of Calgary, Department of Surveying Engineering, 2550 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2N 1N4